SIBU: The Sarawak government must conduct a thorough investigation and develop solutions to the recurring problem of the Rajang River overflow.
"This includes considering opening the Rejang River dredging project to maintain river flow,” said Sibu MP Oscar Ling on Wednesday (Jan 15).
He said this in response to the flooding that hit the town since Monday (Jan 13).
Ling added that the mitigation can be done through continuous sand dredging and re-evaluating the still-unfinished flood mitigation plan to ensure it meets current requirements.
He then said that the flood mitigation project in Sibu has yet to be completed, with the fourth phase still pending.
Ling added that there is a need to assess whether the existing flood mitigation plan remains viable, given the changing environment and rising river levels.
He then said that this is to ensure that the Sarawak Premier’s frequently emphasised "Amsterdam Plan for Sibu" can truly be realised.
Ling also suggested that the Sibu Municipal Council could temporarily raise the two flood-prone sections of Ling Kai Cheng Road with gravel to allow vehicles to pass through and alleviate severe traffic congestion.
"Based on my observation, the two flooded sections of Ling Kai Cheng Road are not very long, and temporarily filling them with gravel would allow vehicles to pass, addressing the urgent need.
Once the floods subside, the Council could pave the sections with tar to resolve the issue of flooding permanently," he added.
Ling then said that Ling Kai Cheng Road has a very high usage rate, especially in easing traffic congestion in the Nan Shan and Ulu Sungai Merah areas.
He added that if the road is affected by flooding, this in turn impacts the access to areas like Ulu Sungai Merah and Rantau Panjang.
He also praised the proactive role played by the Sibu police and Civil Defence Force during the floods in helping to ease traffic flow and ensure the safety of affected residents.
